CHANGE Communications, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) for a CHANGE Communications, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer to support the delivery of an important cross-border environmental project funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This is a varied and impactful opportunity for a skilled communications and evaluation professional who can combine strong storytelling, stakeholder engagement, data analysis and reporting to help drive the success of a complex, multi-partner initiative.

This role will suit candidates with experience across communications, PR, monitoring, reporting and project support. It may also appeal to those searching for opportunities such as Communications Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Project Officer, Engagement Officer, PR and Communications Officer or Impact and Reporting Officer.

About the Organisation

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for non-statutory organisations concerned with the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. Its membership brings together extensive knowledge, expertise and experience to help shape policy, practice and implementation across a wide range of environmental issues.

NIEL’s work also extends across the island of Ireland, where it collaborates with partners including the Irish Environmental Network to address shared environmental challenges and support stronger cooperation, dialogue and evidence-led policy development.

About the Project

The Collaborative Horizons for All-island Nature and Governance Enhancement (CHANGE) project is a cross-border initiative designed to strengthen environmental governance and cooperation in response to increasing regulatory divergence and shared ecological challenges in a post-Brexit context.

Delivered in partnership by Northern Ireland Environment Link and the Irish Environmental Network, the project supports collaboration, evidence-led policy development and capacity-building among environmental organisations, public bodies and communities across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

A key component of the project involves mapping and analysing regulatory divergence across climate action, biodiversity protection, marine conservation and freshwater management. Through consultation, research and practical collaboration, the project will help develop stronger frameworks for cross-border environmental consultation and cooperation.

The Role

The CHANGE Communications, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer is a pivotal role within the project. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering an effective communications and PR function while also designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the effectiveness, reach and impact of the project.

Reporting to the CHANGE Project Manager, the postholder will support high-quality communications outputs across a range of channels, help promote project visibility and stakeholder engagement, and ensure that robust monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems are in place to track progress against key objectives and targets.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who can combine creativity and clarity in communications with strong analytical ability, reporting skills and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver an effective communications and PR workplan for the CHANGE project and support its implementation
• Coordinate publicity content including press releases, newsletters, speeches, website copy and leaflets
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the media to promote the CHANGE project
• Coordinate promotional events and attend press launches, exhibitions and related activities
• Monitor and respond to feedback from the media and the public across traditional and digital channels
• Record media coverage and evaluate the impact of publicity activity on audience engagement
• Develop and disseminate PR materials that increase project visibility among stakeholders
• Ensure digital communications content aligns with NIEL’s brand identity and messaging
• Ensure all communications activity complies with SEUPB PEACEPLUS communications and PR guidelines
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, plans and indicators for the CHANGE project
• Collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to assess project performance and outcomes
• Support quarterly and annual reporting across the project
• Prepare reports, dashboards and visual summaries to communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders
• Monitor activities, outputs and outcomes against project targets and benchmarks
• Conduct field visits and assessments to verify data quality, monitor progress and identify challenges
• Support the setup and maintenance of data management systems and databases
• Provide training and capacity building to project staff on monitoring and evaluation concepts and tools
• Facilitate learning and knowledge-sharing sessions to capture best practice and lessons learned
• Contribute to programme planning, review and evaluation meetings
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards, data protection requirements and organisational policies
• Support NIEL in embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into its ways of working
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required

Person Specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong communications and PR capability alongside experience in monitoring, evaluation, reporting and stakeholder engagement, ideally within a funded, project-based or mission-driven environment.

Essential Criteria

• A degree or third level qualification and at least 2 years’ demonstrable relevant experience, or at least 3 years’ demonstrable relevant experience in a comparable role where a third level qualification is not held
• Experience developing and delivering communications and PR plans, including press releases, digital content and stakeholder communications
• Experience managing media relationships and responding to public or stakeholder enquiries
• Experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including indicators and data collection tools
• Experience collecting, analysing and reporting quantitative and qualitative data
• Experience preparing reports for senior stakeholders and/or funders
• Strong understanding of communications and PR principles and audience engagement strategies
• Working knowledge of social media platforms and digital communication tools
• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including outcomes-based approaches
• Knowledge of data protection and ethical data management principles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and other relevant platforms for data analysis and reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and report writing, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage with senior stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to travel to meet the requirements of the post
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends where necessary

Desirable Criteria

• Degree or third level qualification in a relevant discipline such as Communications, PR or Marketing
• Experience in the NGO sector, environmental sector or another relevant sector
• Experience of working on EU PEACE or other EU-funded programmes or projects with compliance and reporting requirements
• Knowledge or experience of cross-border or transnational cooperation
• Knowledge of environmental issues

Location

NIEL Office, Lombard Street, Belfast, BT1 1RD, with hybrid working arrangements available by agreement with the Line Manager. Frequent travel will be required throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, with occasional travel elsewhere in the UK. Applicants must therefore be based within Northern Ireland.

Salary

£40,000 per annum

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Contract

Fixed-term contract until 31 January 2029, subject to funding, with the possibility of extension. Secondment opportunities will also be considered.

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme of 7.5%
• 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Occupational Family Leave

Closing Date

Monday 20th April 2026 at 9am

Interview Date

Week commencing 4th May 2026

How to Apply

If you are passionate about using communications, insight and evidence to support impactful environmental work across the island of Ireland, we would love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

Early application is advised, as the employer reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications or interest be received.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their application is submitted and received by the stated closing date and time.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Northern Ireland Environment Link as recruitment partner for this vacancy.